Date walked: 15/07/2011

Time taken: 6.5 hours

Distance: 18km

Ascent: 1100m

Friday 15th JulyGreat sleep at Drinisaider hostel, nice to have a bunk after two nights camping.Wasn’t away as early as planned and it was just after nine when I parked at the entrance gates of Abhainn Suidhe estate.Set off along to and up the landrover track to the power station beyond Loch Leosiad. Had hoped to climb the two grahams plus visit Sron Uladal but with the top of the hills clad in cloud decided to walk through to see the famous crag first. Track allows good progress and was soon at the dam on Loch Chliostair.Dam at Loch ChloistairPath works being carried out beyond the dam, no doubt this is now a popular walk especially since the BBC programme.Elf'n'SafetyOnly an hour and half to get below Sron Uladal – sure is a big lump of rock. Sron UladalSron Uladal profile

After a break started back up to the high point of the path at Loch Aiseabhat getting there just about mid-day.

Heading back up to bealach

The weather which had been fine for my low level walk so far looked at that point as though it might improve further.Decided to go over Ulabhal and Oireabhal and leave Tiorga Mor for another day. Just minutes after starting up it closed in and started raining steadily,and did so for the next hour or so.A soft grassy plod up towards the broad ridge to the north of Ulabhal. Must have trended a bit more to the right than I thought in the mist so hit the ridge higher than expected,so not a long climb up to Ulabhal.No view however and wet and windy.Cairn on UlabhalTook my bearings for Oireabhal and set off just after 1 pm– less than an hour to Oireabhal where there is two cairns.Oireabhal cairn #1Oireabhal cairn #2Very cold now,found a place to shelter out of the wind to study the map and decide on route down.North west from the summit and then down in to the corrie looked shortest but the name Lag Garbh had me thinking it could be rough ground. As I dropped down to the shoulder I started to get brief clearances below and not too long after could see the way ahead.Will it clear ?Maybe not !Better now - Loch AiseabhatRoute looked OK so turned down towards the corrie.Cleiseabhal clear nowUlabhal not so clear

Came to a steep slope and it was pretty rough going right enough, that horrible mixture of broken rock and heather.Took my time and was soon down on easier ground. When I got to the pipeline just above the dam the ground was really rough,and after a couple of wee tumbles decided it was easier to clamber up on to the pipe and use that as my walkway.Back on the track it was a short walk back to the car (there about 3.30 pm)

Photos at Abhainn Suidhe

What a good idea - to stop the boulder rolling away - they've anchored it back to the tree

Back to Tarbet for the standard pints - then to Drinisaider

Never did get Tiorga Mor climbed before going homeAch well - hill will still be there when I go back

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